Description
Based on the true story of the ship St. Louis, which left Germany in May 1939 full of Jewish passengers seeking refuge in Cuba. Denied port in Cuba, the US, and finally Canada, the St. Louis was forced to return Europe, where many passengers later died in the Holocaust. Through the eyes of two children, Sol and Lisa, both of whom survived the war and shared their experiences, we see as their journey begins with excitement and hope, only to end in frustration and fear. The children's chapters alternate with those of Captain Schroeder, who reveals the full history of the journey.
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age:
- 9 to 13
- Grade:
- 6 to 8
- Reading age:
- 9 to 12
Awards
- Winner, ONE BOOK for Holocaust Education in Ontario by Ernie's Books
- Short-listed, Ontario Library Association Silver Birch Award (Non-Fiction)
- Short-listed, National Jewish Book Award
Editorial Reviews
"A thoughtful and much recommended read, highly recommended for youth history and Holocaust studies collections."
— Library Bookshelf
"With Lisa and Sol as the voices in To Hope and Back, Kacer wrote on how each child saw the voyage through the expectations of their families, resulting in two gripping accounts of the same event."
— The Canadian Jewish News
"Lisa and Sol’s stories, related with poignancy and immediacy, will touch young readers. An unfortunate lesson on the complicity and international complexities that made the Holocaust possible."
— The New York Times
"The author tells this true story through the eyes of the innocent, building the suspense to a level where readers almost feel they are on the ship themselves. Emotions run high, and the logic of the children seems to be so obviously correct that readers cannot comprehend why the adults do not act appropriately."
— CM Review of Materials
"The novel does an excellent job of mixing fictionalized history with actual events...it achieves its goal of presenting the St. Louis tragedy in a way that young readers can relate to."
— VOYA Magazine
"[T]he historical significance of the St. Louis and the compelling photos make this a worthwhile supplementary purchase."
— School Library Journal
"In this very realistic account, readers will feel as if they are actually on board the ship. They will share the families’ feelings of despair and will share in the great relief that was felt by all when safe havens were finally found."
— The Book Shelf
"A tragic story about an historical event that deserves to be told, and which should provoke thoughtful discussion about a difficult subject."
— Quill & Quire
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Annotations
Librarian review
To Hope and Back: The Journey of the St. Louis (A Holocaust Remembrance Book for Young Readers)
Based on the true story of the St. Louis, a luxury ocean liner, this story recounts how a group of Jewish passengers left Germany in 1939, in search of refuge from the Nazi regime. Sol and Lisa, two children who were passengers aboard the ship, tell the story from their points of view. Turned away by Cuba, the US and Canada, the ship was forced to return to Europe where many of its passengers perished in the Holocaust.
Source: The Canadian Children’s Book Centre. Best Books for Kids & Teens. Fall, 2012.
